Laisterdyke hold nerve to triumph

2:13pm Wednesday 23rd April 2008

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Laisterdyke Cricket Club A have won the Flexprint Services Hey's Trophy for the first time since 1991 after defeating Cuedos Snooker Club A at Undercliffe Cricket Club.

Current Bradford and Yorkshire champion Wayne Cooper was on top form, opening with a 54 break against Boover Singh, followed by the tournament's highest break - an excellent 102 to set the platform.

Mick Bedford won both frames against Laisterdyke captain Donald Procter, and Yorkshire semi-finalist Gareth Green opened with a victory against Lee Atkinson, despite a 40 break from the Laisterdyke player.

Tony Dawson continued Laisterdyke's charge to the trophy with a comfortable opening frame against Cuedos captain Hanif Rafiq, but Dawson and Atkinson didn't have things their own way in the final two frames of the match, with Green and Rafiq pulling away early to set a few nerves jangling.

However, just as a comeback was on the cards, luck deserted the Cuedos pair and Laisterdyke picked off the points they needed.

Mark Slater of Great Horton Cons is through to his first Bradford Snooker Championship final after winning a closely-contested semi-final against John Wellham of Girlington Cons at Manningham Ward Labour Club.

The pair shared the first four frames, with Wellham taking a 3-2 lead straight after the interval.

Both players were way below their best, but Slater found some form in the final two frames to edge the contest 4-3, a 49 break clinching it. Slater will now play the winner of Cooper and Simon Bedford, who meet on Saturday at Great Horton Conservative Club (7.45).

In the Yorkshire Inter-District League, Bradford No 1 missed the chance to edge closer to the Division One title at the weekend after a disappointing 3-3 draw at bottom side Wakefield No 2.

With Sheffield tied at the top of the table prior to this game, a resounding win for Bradford would have given them an advantage ahead of Sheffield's tough trip to Castleford on Saturday.

Bedford was well below his best and was edged out in both opening frames by Chris Hall.

Slater pulled Bradford level with two comfortable wins against Lionel Payne, after which Cooper tied frames with Craig Spencer, making a 64 break in the final frame to clinch the draw.

Bradford must now hope that Castleford can do them a favour by beating Sheffield.

In Division Two, Bradford No 2 have an outside chance of automatic promotion if they can beat Sheffield No 2 on Sunday at Manningham Ward (7.30).

There is still an outstanding match for Sheffield, but victory for Bradford will keep the pressure on the visiting side.

The Hopkinson Plate final will be between East Bowling Unity Club and holders Birkenshaw Libs A. This will take place on May 15 at Lilycroft WMC, not May 1 as previously stated.